Toy vehicle launching station

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle launching station configured to simulate a garage and having a pair of launching plungers movable between a retracted, cocked state and a released, extended state and a sound producing means in the form of a siren and associated with trigger means for activating the siren and releasing the plungers from a cocked state to launch a vehicle thereby.

United States atent [191 Glass et al.

[111 3,797,164 [4 1 Mar. 19, 1974 TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHING STATIONInventors: Marvin I. Glass, Chicago; Robert McKay, Morton Grove; JeffreyBreslow, Highland Park, all of I11.

Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, Ill.

Filed: Sept. 27, 1972 Appl. No.: 292,649

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 46/232, 46/175 Int. Cl A63h 17/44 Field of Search 46/232, 202,209, 215,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1936 Marx 46/202 X 3,731,7651/1956 Carver 46/209 X 3,600,850 8/1971 Summerfield 46/243 M 3,641,7042/1972 Sims 46/243 L Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene AssistantExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Coffee & Sweeney 5 7]ABSTRACT A toy vehicle launching station configured to simulate a garageand having a pair of launching plungers movable between a retracted,cocked state and a released, extended state and a sound producing meansin the form of a siren and associated with trigger means for activatingthe siren and releasing the plungers from a cocked state to launch avehicle thereby.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTE-nnm mm 13797164 SHEET 2 UF 2 1o 5 v12 T" 4 ii 1 14 L 3e 1/ r MW & 7:5 JIM 62 HIM! 64::

1 TOY VEHICLE LAUNCHING STATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe invention This invention relates to toy vehicle launching devices.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art There are a wide variety oflaunching devices for toy vehicles as exemplified by the followingpatents:

s. Tepper et al. /26/70 No. 3.5 14,108 .I. Beny et a1. 12/22/70 No.3,548,534 G. Clowes 1/5/71 No. 3,552,322 J. Beny et 211. 2/2/71 No.3,559,334 T. E. See 2/2/71 No. 3,559,335 J. Beny et a1. 2/16/71 No.3,562,949 .1. McRoskey 2/23/71 No. 3,565,430 .1. Beny et a1. 6/22/71 No.3,585,751 S. Kupperman et a1. 6/28/71 No. 3,588,107 .1. Beny et al.7/6/71 No. 3,590,524 R. Carver et al. 8/17/71 No. 3,599,365 E. Faller8/24/71 No. 3,600,849 W. Summerfield et a1. 8/24/71 No. 3,600,850 T. Seeet a1. 9/20/71- No. 3,605,631 J. Copper et a1. 11/9/71 No. 3,618,947 S.Tepper et al. 11/23/71 No. 3,622,158 C. Edwards et al. l2/2l/7l No.3,628,725 R. Lohr et al. 1/25/72 No. 3,636,651 A. Sims et a1. 2/15/72No. 3,641,704

Generally speaking, children are captivated by the role of policemen,firemen, and emergency vehicles. Often during play with toy vehicles,children fantasize the existence and performance of an emergency vehiclesuch as an ambulance, fire truck or the like, including simulating thesiren sound thereof. It is the object of this invention to meet thecontinuing need and desire in the art for improved toy vehicleaccessories by providing a toy vehicle launching station which simulatesan enclosure simulating an emergency vehicle garage and includes anaudible signal producing system simulating a siren sound, and furtherincludes stressable, and selectively releasable, vehicle launchingplungers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to theprovision of a toy vehicle launching station having 'means defining anenclosure with an open end and separately actuable siren and launchingsystems.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the inventionincludes the provision of garage-like enclosure with an open doorway anda pair of toy vehicle receiving tracks in the interior. Each track has alinearally movable plunger therein associated with biasing means and areleasable retainer for placing the plunger in a cocked state when theplunger is retracted BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the toy vehicle launching device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section view through the toy vehicle launchingdevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

r FIG. 4 is a section view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective of the upper portion of thelaunching and siren activating button assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the lower portionof the launching and siren activating button assemblies, and r FIG. 7 isa diagram of the siren circuitry.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the' embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The toy vehicle launchingstation 10 of this invention includes an enclosure generally indicated12 and intended to simulate a garage-like structure. Enclosure 12 iscomprised of upstanding walls 14, 16, and 18 covered by a roof 20 withthe walls being spanned by an interior ceiling 20a in the interior ofthe structure. A floor 22 spans the lower portion of walls 14, 16, and18 and one end of the structure is open, providing an open doorway 24.It is to be understood that a movable door could be provided, ifdesired, for selectively opening and closing access to the interior ofthe structure 12.

The enclosure 12 further includes a front exit apron 26 which isinclined slightly downwardly and outwardly from the floor 22 and itsjuncture therewith in the area of the doorway 24. The launching device10 is intended for launching toy vehicles 28a and 28b outwardly from thestructure in a rapidly accelerating fashion.

In the interior of the enclosure 12 a series of short upstanding ribs30, 32, and 34, one adjacent each side wall, and the other mediallydividing the interior, define a pair of toy vehicle channels 36 and 38.A slot is provided in the floor 22 in each of the channels,specifically, the slots 40 and 42 for movably mounting a pair ofplungers 44 and 46, respectively, therein for movement between aretracted or cocked position, and an extended or released position tofacilitate launching of vehicles from the enclosure 12.

Each plunger 44 and 46 has a forward face or vehicle engaging surface 48and a rearwardly extending web 50. In addition, a reduced neck 52depends from face 48 and extends through each of the slots 40 and 42,terminating in an enlarged flange 54 under the floor 22 which supports adepending hook 56. Hook 56 has a rubberband 58 connected thereto withthe rubberband 58 also being connected to the housing, specifically to ahook 60, preferably positioned under the apron portion 36. Therubberband 58 provides a resilient or biasing means which is deformablebetween relaxed and stressed condition responsive to to and fro movementof the plunger. It is to be understood that a suitable spring meanscould be provided.

Each plunger 44 and 46 further has a lateral finger 62 at the rear ofweb 50. Rib 32 has a pair of crossbars 64 at the rear end adjacent wall18 having a series of recesses 68a and 68b therein to provide a meansfor movably mounting retaining member 68.

Specifically, each retaining member 68 has opposed outwardly extendingpins 70 which reside in recesses 68a and 68b to pivotally mount theretaining member 68 relative to the mounting bar 64. The retainingmembers 68 are provided with a first, or rear section 72, and a second,transversly oriented, forwardly extending leg 74. The underside of eachleg 74 is notched at 76 and the forward edge of the leg 74 has adownwardly and inwardly curved end 78 providing a cam surface. As theplungers 44 and 46 are moved rearwardly, the lateral finger 62 willengage cam surface 78, causing each re taining member 68 to be pivotedabout its mounting and relatively lifted, permitting finger 62 to moveunder notch 76. The retaining member 68 will then rock downwardly,responsive to gravity, captivating the finger 62 of the plunger in thenotch 76 in a cocked state against the force of the stressed rubberband58. The movement of the plungers to this rearward position can be simplyaccomplished by pushing rearwardly on a toy vehicle 28 which is insertedinto one of the vehicle channels 36 and 38 into abutment with plungerfaces 48.

Each of the retaining members 68 has an upwardly extending tab 80 whichis intended for engagement with the means for releasing the retainerfrom its retention of the plungers 44 and 46. Included in the means is avertical plunger 82 having an enlarged foot 84 at the bottom thereofwhich overlies both of the tabs 80 of both retaining members 68. Plunger82 is slidably mounted for vertical movement relative to the structure12 within a bracket 86 which depends from the underside of the ceilinga. The plunger 82 extends through an opening 80a in ceiling 20a and aspring 90 is interposed about the plunger 82 between ceiling 20a andbutton 92 which is fixed to the top of the plunger 82. The button 92extends through an opening 94 in the roof 20 and, specifically, in thesimulated chimney portion 96. Thus, as the button 92 is depressed, thefoot 84 will push downwardly on the tabs 80 causing the retainingmembers to be relatively lifted with respect to each lateral finger 62of plungers 44 and 46, permitting the stressed rubberband 58 to forcethe plungers rapidly forward to the extended or released position,thereby forcing a vehicle which is positioned adjacent the plunger face48 rapidly outwardly of the structure 12.

Means are provided for producing an audible signal. Included in thismeans is another button 102 which extends through an opening 104 in thechimney portion 96. The underside of button 102 is positioned adjacentleafspring contact 106 which overlies a second contact member 108. Thecontact member 108 has wire 110 connected thereto and contact 106 haswire 112 connected thereto. Wires 110 and 112 are associated withcircuitry, generally indicated 114 which includes a battery 116 and asiren 118. Siren 118 is mounted on the underside of roof 20 below grillportion 120. Through means of circuitry 114, siren 118 is activated whenthe circuit is energized by pushing the contact 106 into engagement withcontact 108.

Circuit 114 specifically includes the wire 110 which leads to battery116 as well as leading directly to transistor 122. Wire 124 leads fromthe other side of battery 116 to the other components of the circuit,except for the transistor 122. Wire 112 runs from the leaf springcontact, through a resistor 126 to the other components of the circuit,including condensor 128, resistors 130 and 132, transistor 134,condenser 136, and also transistor 122 as well as resistor 138. Wire 112terminates at siren 118. Through the aforedescribed circuitry, when thebutton 102 is depressed to close the contact through 106 and 108, thismomentary depression of the button will energize the circuit for aperiod of time following the closing of the the contacts so that thesiren 118 will produce an audible signal for a period of time in excessof the momentary engagement of button 102 with the contacts 106 and 108.

The circuit shown in FIG. 7 provides a direct coupled oscillator. Whenthe switch is closed, base current flows through resistors and 132 intotransistor 134 and is divided between transistor 122 and speaker 118.Feedback current from transistor 122 through capacitor 136 adds to thebase current of transistor 134 which provides a regeneration fortransistor 122.

In operation, participants may cock the plungers by inserting vehicles28a and 28b into channels 36 and 38 and pushing against the face 48 ofthe plungers 44 and- /or 46 to force them to the rearward position,wherein the retaining member 68 will captivate one or both of theplungers in the cocked state. Participants may then depress the button102 to activate the siren circuitry to produce an audible signal,following which, at the desire of the participants, the launching button92 may be depressed which will release the captivation or retention ofthe retaining member 68 with respect to the plungers permittingtheplungers to move rapidly forwardly under the influence of the stressedrubberband 58, thereby propelling the vehicles 28a and 28b rapidlyoutwardly of the enclosure through doorway 24 and down apron 26. It isto be understood that if only one vehicle is inserted in the interior ofthe housing this vehicle will be launched by the depression of theactivation button 92 alone. I

Thus it can be seen that the launching station of this inventionprovides a realiztic simulation of an emergency facility such as anambulance service, fire station or the like. Participants may firstproduce the related audible signal in the form of a siren, followingwhich they may cause their vehicles 28a and 28b to be rapidly ejectedoutwardly of the housing simulating the fast take off of a vehicle on anemergency mission. It can further be seen that any toy vehicle which isof a size to fit in the channels may be utilized, in that there are nospecific tracks, slots, or circuitry with which the toy vehicle must beassociated. All that is required is that the vehicle be forced intoengagement with the face of the plungers to push the plunger rearwardlyso that one or both may be cocked ready to be released to catapult thevehicle outwardly of the enclosure.

In the preferred embodiment the floor 22 is slanted upwardly from rearwall 18 towards opening 24 and the apron 26 is slanted downwardlytherefrom. As a vehicle is launched outwardly from the enclosure it willfirst traverse a slight uphill path of travel and gain initial momentumas it leaves the enclosure in a downhill path of travel over thedownwardly inclined apron 26. This augments the simulation of anemergency vehicle leaving a garage or the like in a rapid burst ofspeed.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

We claim: 1. A toy vehicle launching station comprising: means defininga supporting surface; a vehicle receiving area on said supportingsurface; a plunger member mounted on said receiving area relative tosaid supporting surface for to and fro movement between an extended,release position and a retracted, cocked position, said plunger having aforward vehicle abutting face and a laterally projecting rear finger;biasing means connected to said plunger and said supporting surface andbeing deformable when said plunger is moved to said cocked position tostress said biasing means thereby; retaining means on said supportingsurface including a finger receiving notch adjacent to the cockedposition of said plunger for engaging the finger and holding the plungerin said cocked position, said retaining means being mounted for movementbetween a finger captivating position wherein said finger is held bysaid retaining means for retaining said plunger in said cocked positionand a finger release position; release means mounted adjacent to saidretaining meansfor' movement toward and away from said retaining means,including movement into engagement with said retaining means to releasethe retention of said plunger, whereby a toy vehicle may be placedonsaid supporting surface, said plunger moved to said cocked positionand said release means activated to launch said vehicle outwardly ofsaid supporting surface.

2. A toy vehicle launching device of claim 1 including signal producingmeans comprising a normally open circuit; power means in said circuit;switch means for closing said circuit and activating said power means;an audible signal producing device in said circuit and energized byactivation thereof; an impulse retention means for maintaining saidcircuit active following mosupporting surface between said fingerreceiving and finger captivating positions and includes a cam surfacepositioned to abut said plunger finger during movement of said plungerto said cocked position, with said retaining means being responsive toengagement by said finger for movement to said finger receivingposition, following which said retaining means moves to said captivatingposition.

5. Launching station of claim 4 wherein said release means is engageablewith said retaining means to move said retaining means to said fingerreceiving position away from said retaining position to permit releaseof said plunger from said cocked position.

6. The launching station of claim 5 wherein the supporting surface iscontained within an enclosure and wherein the release means comprises amember movably mounted relative to the supporting surface for verticalto and fro movement with said release means normally being biasedupwardly, and having an actuating surface protruding outwardly of theenclosure within which said supporting surface is located for depressingthe member actuating surface in opposition to the biasing means and intoengagement with the retaining means.

7. The launching station of claim 6 including signal producing meanscomprising a normally open circuit; power means in said circuit; switchmeans for closing said circuit and activating said power means; anaudible signal producing device in said circuit and energized byactivation thereof; an impulse retention means for maintaining saidcircuit active following momentary closing of said circuit by saidswitch means.

8. The launching station of claim 7 wherein said normally open circuitincludes a pair of contacts movable toward and away from each other forclosing and opening the circuit with one of said pair of contactsunderlying an actuating member positioned on the enclosure adjacent tothe release means actuating member.

1. A toy vehicle launching station comprising: means defining asupporting surface; a vehicle receiving area on said supporting surface;a plunger member mounted on said receiving area relative to saidsupporting surface for to and fro movement between an extended, releaseposition and a retracted, cocked position, said plunger having a forwardvehicle abutting face and a laterally projecting rear finger; biasingmeans connected to said plunger and said supporting surface and beingdeformable when said plunger is moved to said cocked position to stresssaid biasing means thereby; retaining means on said supporting surfaceincluding a finger receiving notch adjacent to the cocked position ofsaid plunger for engaging the finger and holding the plunger in saidcocked position, said retaining means being mounted for movement betweena finger captivating position wherein said finger is held by saidretaining means for retaining said plunger in said cocked position and afinger release position; release means mounted adjacent to saidretaining means for movement toward and away from said retaining means,including movement into engagement with said retaining means to releasethe retention of said plunger, whereby a toy vehicle may be placed onsaid supporting surface, saId plunger moved to said cocked position andsaid release means activated to launch said vehicle outwardly of saidsupporting surface.
 2. A toy vehicle launching device of claim 1including signal producing means comprising a normally open circuit;power means in said circuit; switch means for closing said circuit andactivating said power means; an audible signal producing device in saidcircuit and energized by activation thereof; an impulse retention meansfor maintaining said circuit active following momentary closing of saidcircuit by said switch means.
 3. The toy vehicle launching station ofclaim 1 wherein said supporting surface is inclined upwardly from thecocked position of said plunger and terminates in a downwardly inclinedlaunching apron.
 4. The toy vehicle launching station of claim 1 whereinsaid retaining means is pivoted relative to said supporting surfacebetween said finger receiving and finger captivating positions andincludes a cam surface positioned to abut said plunger finger duringmovement of said plunger to said cocked position, with said retainingmeans being responsive to engagement by said finger for movement to saidfinger receiving position, following which said retaining means moves tosaid finger captivating position.
 5. Launching station of claim 4wherein said release means is engageable with said retaining means tomove said retaining means to said finger receiving position away fromsaid retaining position to permit release of said plunger from saidcocked position.
 6. The launching station of claim 5 wherein thesupporting surface is contained within an enclosure and wherein therelease means comprises a member movably mounted relative to thesupporting surface for vertical to and fro movement with said releasemeans normally being biased upwardly, and having an actuating surfaceprotruding outwardly of the enclosure within which said supportingsurface is located for depressing the member actuating surface inopposition to the biasing means and into engagement with the retainingmeans.
 7. The launching station of claim 6 including signal producingmeans comprising a normally open circuit; power means in said circuit;switch means for closing said circuit and activating said power means;an audible signal producing device in said circuit and energized byactivation thereof; an impulse retention means for maintaining saidcircuit active following momentary closing of said circuit by saidswitch means.
 8. The launching station of claim 7 wherein said normallyopen circuit includes a pair of contacts movable toward and away fromeach other for closing and opening the circuit with one of said pair ofcontacts underlying an actuating member positioned on the enclosureadjacent to the release means actuating member.